Samsung Electronics highlights the significant amount of time Europeans spend contemplating household tasks. (Photo: a screenshot from Samsung Electronics Newsroom)
SEOUL, Feb. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study conducted by Samsung Electronics highlights the significant amount of time Europeans spend contemplating household tasks, amounting to approximately 86% of the actual time dedicated to performing these chores.
The survey, which involved 6,066 participants from countries including the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland, revealed that respondents were responsible for an average of seven household tasks, dedicating over 30 hours per week to these duties, a commitment comparable to full-time employment.
Over half of the respondents (51%) reported feeling stressed for more than half of the time spent on household labor. Additionally, 41% of those surveyed expressed difficulty focusing on daily tasks due to household chores.
Samsung SmartThings Survey (Photo: a screenshot from Samsung Electronics Newsroom)
A majority of the respondents (54%) agreed that high energy costs affect household tasks, causing stress and making it difficult to complete housework.
The survey, which covered 15 regular household activities such as cleaning, grocery shopping, and managing utility bills, aimed to quantify the hidden burdens of household work.
In collaboration with Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X and a bestselling author, Samsung developed the “Invisible Burden Index” to demonstrate how smart technologies like SmartThings can alleviate these burdens and free up more time for individuals.
The study’s findings indicate that respondents spend a significant portion of their mental energy on tasks such as meal preparation, accounting for 92% of the actual cooking time, and waste management, taking up 88% of the actual disposal time.
Moreover, 90% believe they could perform household tasks more efficiently, with 48% open to utilizing technology for assistance.
Samsung Electronics SmartThings Zone at CES 2024 (Image courtesy of Samsung Electronics)
Samsung suggests SmartThings solutions to enable users to manage their household tasks more effectively. For instance, SmartThings Energy allows users to monitor the energy consumption of appliances and reduce usage through AI Energy Mode.
The SmartThings app also facilitates remote laundry cycle settings and sends notifications upon cycle completion.
“The way we spend our time at home is a fundamental component of our overall well-being, making it crucial to incorporate healthy habits into our daily routines,” Gawdat said, adding, “With the aid of SmartThings, automating certain household tasks can significantly enhance the quality of leisure time spent at home.”
Nathan Sheffield, Samsung Electronics Europe’s IoT and SmartThings lead, also touted the potential benefits of Samsung technology, noting, “SmartThings opens the door to a world that’s simpler, smarter, and more interconnected.” He also expressed hope that recognizing the “Invisible Burden” and leveraging technology’s benefits could help individuals lead more balanced lives.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
